In the Miyun District of Beijing, emergency services responded to a catastrophic situation this week as floods overwhelmed a nursing home, leading to the loss of 31 residents, many of whom were unable to escape due to mobility issues. Footage captured rescue workers battling high water levels in the care facility, which housed around 77 elderly individuals, most of whom were severely disabled or receiving minimal living assistance.
Local officials acknowledged substantial shortcomings in their emergency plans, labeling this incident a "wake-up call" regarding their preparedness for extreme weather. "The area where the nursing home is located was perceived as safe, which led to its exclusion from evacuation protocols," one official explained at a press briefing.
Overall, 44 individuals have lost their lives across the Beijing region amid this season's severe weather, which follows extreme heat and additional flooding in other parts of the country. In nearby Hebei province, 16 deaths were reported due to heavy rainfall, further compounding the disaster.
Though Beijing experiences flooding during the summer months sporadically, the current situation is particularly dire. Notable past floods have claimed numerous lives, including a tragic event in July 2012 that resulted in 79 fatalities after 190mm of rain fell in just one day. This year's severe floods are believed to have caused upwards of 54.11 billion yuan ($7.5 billion) in damages, with more than 90% attributed to flooding.
Experts warn that climate change is increasingly influencing China's weather patterns, impacting not only citizens but also the significant agricultural sector, which is vital to the nation’s economy.
Local officials acknowledged substantial shortcomings in their emergency plans, labeling this incident a "wake-up call" regarding their preparedness for extreme weather. "The area where the nursing home is located was perceived as safe, which led to its exclusion from evacuation protocols," one official explained at a press briefing.
Overall, 44 individuals have lost their lives across the Beijing region amid this season's severe weather, which follows extreme heat and additional flooding in other parts of the country. In nearby Hebei province, 16 deaths were reported due to heavy rainfall, further compounding the disaster.
Though Beijing experiences flooding during the summer months sporadically, the current situation is particularly dire. Notable past floods have claimed numerous lives, including a tragic event in July 2012 that resulted in 79 fatalities after 190mm of rain fell in just one day. This year's severe floods are believed to have caused upwards of 54.11 billion yuan ($7.5 billion) in damages, with more than 90% attributed to flooding.
Experts warn that climate change is increasingly influencing China's weather patterns, impacting not only citizens but also the significant agricultural sector, which is vital to the nation’s economy.
